Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan who were previously denied boarding for their flight to India have now received the green light from Pakistani officials to continue their pilgrimage.
A group of 49 devotees is set to arrive in New Delhi on October 8, coming from Tashkent, for a month-long trip to various important Sikh sites throughout India.
Unfortunately, the pilgrims will not be able to visit the Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand, as this sacred site will close for winter on October 10 due to expected harsh weather. Because of this, it has been taken off their travel plans.
Paramjeet Singh Chandok, an advisor with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), confirmed that the Pakistani Interior Ministry evaluated the situation and allowed the pilgrims to travel. “Sikhs in Pakistan now have a reason to celebrate. After considering the case of the pilgrims who were held up at Faisalabad Airport, permission has been granted for their visit to India. They have valid Indian visas that are good until October 30, and they will return to New Delhi,” Chandok said.
During their five-day stay in the capital, the group will visit several historic gurdwaras linked to the Sikh Gurus, including Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, and Gurdwara Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Chandok also mentioned that the pilgrims had to purchase new return tickets for their journey, noting that the cost of their earlier tickets is likely lost, with little hope for a refund.
Discussions are taking place with Indian officials to see if the pilgrims might be allowed to visit Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib before its closure under special arrangements, although he remarked that chances seem slim due to the weather conditions in Uttarakhand.
Uttarakhand is currently under a yellow alert as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds.
The pilgrims were originally scheduled to travel on September 11. A total of 104 Indian visas had been processed for visits to various locations, but a group of 94 people, including children, was reportedly barred from boarding their flight at Faisalabad Airport. Reasons cited included issues with return tickets and missing No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
Former Pakistan Punjab Parliament Secretary Mahinderpal Singh condemned the treatment of the Sikh pilgrims and called for an investigation into the incident, along with a demand for accountability and steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
